New Home Schooling Information
Update for readers of The Home School Manual

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  I - Operating the Home School
  J - Teaching Various Types of Students
  K - Periodicals About or For Home Schools
  L - General Periodicals of Interest for Home Schools
  M - Teaching Aids
  N - Religious Instruction and Ministry
 
 

An "A" in Life, Famous Home Schoolers Authors Mac and Nancy Plent explain the purpose of their book. It is to offer "encouragement to those who have been sold the idea that, if you don't go to college, your life is ruined. the lack of formal education clearly didn't handicap the people who appear on these pages. We hope you will read about them with the growing realization that the stuff you're made of counts for more than how many hours you spend in a classroom." The Plents have looked at numerous categories of successful people from US presidents to people rest areas on the tollway are named after. Quotations about them explain their relationships to schools. Even though education, in the past below college, was much less formal than today, the listing is impressive. At the end of the book are quotations about education and a chapter entitled, "Common Threads." Nancy has devoted many years to the advance of home education in and around her state of New Jersey. © 1999 (although it came out in 2000), 108 pp. from Unschoolers Network, 2 Smith St., Farmingdale, NJ . Price is currently (2/00) $8.50 but might need to go up a little when it becomes a professionally manufactured book. UnNet.

Christian Unschooling, Growing your Children in the Freedom of Christ by Teri J Brown with Elissa M. Wahl. In my book, The Home School Manual, I have an imaginary dialogue with John Holt who was an early champion of unschooling and perhaps coined the word. His last of many books, Learning all the Time, was prepared and published by his followers after his death in 1985. In correspondence with Pat Farenga, Holt Associates president, I discovered that I had somewhat misjudged John Holt. In reviewing the book, I challenged some of his points. Then taking a hard look at my challenges, I backed down, but not all the way. I learn from others. Teri Brown makes some good points but much of what she says is not that different from what other home school authors believe. Meg Chorpinning who writes an "essay" for her expresses a common criticism, "It seems that 'Christian' and 'unschooling' are terms that are not permitted to be used together. To be committed to the Lord and to homeschool has become synonymous with desks, flags, workbooks and a strictly scheduled day." I am unaware of any experienced home schoolers who would say want to teach the way I think she pictures in her mind although home schooled kids often like desks and flags. As a Christian, I believe that we serve a God of order and precision which can easily be overlooked. Solomon wrote, "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" Eccl. 3:1.
   Teri Brown isn't as unschoolish as many who use that term. A point that I feel many home instructors (facilitators) miss is that children learn best differently when they are younger. Then they need opportunity to explore more and should not be confined to a desk (or even an easy chair) for periods of learning. Teaching older kids like this, however, leaves them with the idea that they can do what they want when they feel like it. Getting children to read is a great goal for young children. But later there are times for other learning activities. Good teaching tries to avoid boredom but some "boring" things need to be learned. Self-discipline is too easily neglected. If you read this book, I suggest you read some others, too. 134 pp., 2001, Champion Press , LTD, 13023 NE Hwy 99, Building 7, Suite 206, Vancouver WA 98686.
 

Creating a Cooperative Learning Center, An Idea-Book for Homeschooling Families Author Katharine Houk is an experienced home education leader. In her 190-page book, she provides solid and practical knowledge for an organization that would be a definite asset to any area where a support group is feasible. The learning center provides or coordinates social and learning experiences much as any support group would except that it has a home and space for activities and a more formal organizational structure. This book offers more information than you will use since any learning group like this is unique and changing. © 2000, $16.95 plus $2.50 and, for New York,  tax as required for mail-order items. Longview Publishing, 29 Kinderhook St., Chatham, NY 12037, USA.

Home School Source Book, The Described in appendix X.

Homeschool.com Connected with The Education Source (above). This newer site offers free products (magazines, etc.), message boards, online classes for your kids through ChildU, a resource guide, and shopping. http://www.homeschool.com/

Homeschooling by Heart, A Mom's Road Map For Making it All Work "So here is one more book on home schooling. Ho-hum. The lady wants me to review it so I'll, at least, take a look." Well, Kristina Sabalis Krulikas has done a good job helping moms "make it all work.." The letter she sent accurately represents her book so I'll quote from it.
    "This book was born out of my frustration of seeing so many parents give up teaching their kids at home. It's discouraging that a lot of parents throw in the towel because they can't seem to organize their lives and homes to ever successfully homeschool. . . .
    "Homeschooling By Heart is a guide to creating a complete homeschooing lifestyle. . . . It's my premise that the entire family needs to pull together to make this endeavor fruitful. In the book I ask readers to explore their reasons for homeschooling and to take stock of what their future aspirations are. . . . and . . , I ask the family to consider whether they need to simplify their lifestyle. . . . The final step is a thorough discussion of what should take precedence in their home: . . . wisdom and character or academics."
   She also discusses the time when it might be necessary to put kids into conventional school. And she includes a number of charts and forms. 2nd edition, 1999. $19.95 from Solomon's Secrets, 1264 Alhambra Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33901; sudievu; http://www.solomons-secrets.com.

Homeschooling Almanac Similar to Home School Manual. I have not examined this book but, from the description, it looks good. It covers basic how-to, then has special sections for products, resources, and state laws.

Leader's Manual, A Guide for Home School Support Groups Written for leaders of city or local groups. New e-mail contact address: shill2. (Beth Hill, co-author).
 
 
 

Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling, The By Debra Bell. I haven't yet had a chance to review the book but it looks good, 2001. You get a book-and-CD package for $25 (less a penny). At bookstores.

Unofficial Guide to Home Schooling, The by Kathy Ishizuka. Not reviewed..
 
 

Part 6 Special needs
Internet resources for special needs We Media - "The Disability Network" - http://wemedia.com.
Special Education Resources on the Internet, SERI http://www.hood.edu/seri/
Education by Design - http://www.edbydesign.com/specneedsres/index.html - Articles and ideas.
Internet Special Education Resources http://www.iser.com - Listing of specialists in the US/

BIG Ideas / Small Budget A newsletter that's well described by its name. The copy I'm looking at is 16 pages, stapled at the corner. 1285 Morgan Springs Rd., Dayton, TN 37321, .
Easy Homeschooling A free e-letter from editor, Lorraine Curry. http://www.easyhomeschooling.net

Eclectic Homeschool, The The print version has been dropped (11/00) but you will find the magazine in electronic form on the web. http://eho.org.

Homeschooling HorizonsSee under Canadian information.

Home Educators Family Times - Editor, Jane Boswell famtimes - http://www.homeeducator.com/FamilyTimes/current.htm

Home Education Learning Magazine (HELM). The July-August issue looks quite worthwhile. It includes part 3 of "Making the World Safe for Homeschooling," "An Unschooling Family's Summer Project," other articles and product reviews. 28pp incl. cover. It takes a wholesome secular approach. HELM Harbor Publishing, LLC, 4200 AL Hwy, 157, Danville, AL 35619; , http://www.helmonline.com.

Moore Report International News and information from the Moore Foundation. Box 1, Camas, WA  . e-mail:  moorereport, www.moorefoundation.com.
 
 

AO-Soft This is a search engine which we have listed in appendix X but thought you would appreciate this cross-reference. http://www.ao-soft.com.

Family Freebies This 8-page magazine lists offers your family may find fun to send for. Some are free. Most cost up to $2 including postage. They include recipes, holiday items, crafts, booklets, stickers and, in the issue I'm looking at, a wood train whistle. 6 issues/yr. $18. Freebies Publishing, Box 310, Carpinteria CA .

JTC Products Discount software, T-shirts, novelties, and a "Homeschool Convention." This company could have been in several categories.http://www.jctproducts.com/
 
 

Developing Godly Character in Children 5th ed. I reviewed this product's first edition but somehow missed including any mention of it on the CD-ROM. I don't remember all the details but was quite impressed with it. The publisher describes it as follows. "Handbook and Resource Guide" 3-years' worth of Unit Studies plus over 1000 resources." Somewhat over $20 from Hands to Help, PO Box 3464, Orange, CA 92865, (909) 245-4082. http://www.ioc.net/~abba/B_DC-txt.htm.

Effortless Bible Memorization Word-for-word-song of chapter or selection, happy but not rocky music. A choice of book-and-tape sets. Titles include Psalm 23, Temptations of Jesus, Isaiah 53, and more. $14.95 including shipping. Thy Word Creations, Route 76, Box 28, Glenville, WV 26351, www.thyword.cjb.net. Free color brochure. .

MemLok Bible Memory System New edition described as follows: "CD Introductory price $59, CD includes 4 Bible Translations: NIV KJV NKJ NAS. . . . 700 Verses 40 Topics, Ages: 2-92, Download full program: http://www.memlok.com/download.html.
    "See all the screens here: http://www.memlok.com/pcmemlok.html.
 
 

Association of Christian Schools International The website is http://www.acsi.org. (typo corrected sorry).
 
 

Noble Publishing (Part 4, and maybe 3), New contact information: 6920 S.E. Hogan Rd., Gresham, OR 97080, ; http://www.nobleinstitute.org/; ghatclw.